Staff

“Simply put, they are remarkable - they listen to, adapt programs to, and support customers in many ways.” ~ Nancy N.

Jessica Gradhandt, Owner,
Certified Pilates Instructor

Jessica has been practicing Pilates since 2000 and is the owner of Pilates at Thrive, LLC (the Pilates division of Thrive Physical Therapy + Pilates). She completed an intensive instructor training with Nora St. John at Turning Point Studio in Walnut Creek, CA in the spring of 2003. The majority of Jessica's work and continuing study has been with Physical Therapists; consequently she has developed specialties in therapeutic and post-rehab work. In addition, she has a strong background working with specific populations such as prenatal/post-partum and osteoporosis and has co-taught continuing education workshops in these areas. Most recently, in January of 2009, she became a Master Instructor of Balanced Body Education LLC, offering instruction and guidance to aspiring instructors in the Mat, Reformer and Apparatus work of the Pilates method. She believes that there is always more to learn and understand about the body, so frequently attends continuing education workshops to increase her own knowledge and to enhance her clients' workouts. In addition, she is trained in the Healing Touch technique to assist in balancing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Jessica holds a B.A. in International Management from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN.

Angela Gibson, Certified Pilates Instructor

Angela is originally from Canby, Oregon and received her Pilates certification through Stott Pilates in 2008. She began her Pilates training as a teen under Melanie Byford-Young of Pacific Northwest Pilates as a way to augment her studies as a young ballet student. Over time, however, she developed her love of teaching. In addition to teaching clients at Thrive, Angela is now in her sixth season performing as Principal dancer with Ballet Idaho. Coming from a professional dance background, and having undergone many injuries along the way, Angela has a highly attuned knowledge of body mechanics and strives to help clients of all activity levels, from post-rehab to elite athlete. Angela earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Texas Christian University in 2007 and moved to Boise in 2008 where she met her husband. They enjoy being active, traveling and partaking in The Arts as well as sporting events together!

Harriett Jastremsky, Certified Pilates Instructor

Harriett, a Boise native, was trained to teach The Conditioning and Corrective Exercises of Joseph H. and Clara Pilates in Mary Bowen's studio in Northampton, MA. Mary Bowen is one of the three remaining teachers who worked with Mr. Pilates. Harriett's anatomical training was overseen by Kate Faulkner, P.T. Harriett taught in and co-managed Mary's studio from 1997-2001. She studied and earned additional certifications from The Physicalmind Institute and most recently from Balanced Body University. She studied Anatomy and Physiology with Judy Cotter, Holyoke Community College, MA., and Anatomy and Kinesiology with Irene Dowd, New York City, and takes Continuing Education courses regularly. In New York, Harriett had a private practice in Manhattan and continued studying, most notably with Clarice Marshall from 2001-2005. In Boise, she taught at Forte Pilates 2008-2011 and joined Thrive Physical Therapy and Pilates in 2011. She graduated from the advanced level Heritage Training with Cara Reeser in June 2016.

Harriett received her Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University. She has worked as a dancer and choreographer in Massachusetts and New York. She was dance company member with Paula Josa-Jones/Performance Works, founding member of Kinodance Company, and was involved in year-long performance projects with Defacto Dance and Peggy Florin. For her performance projects, Harriett has received funding from the Northampton Arts Council, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the Idaho Commission on the Arts. She is a consulting teacher for Balance Dance Company, Boise. In working with people in Pilates, Harriett likes to draw on each person's sophisticated understanding of his or her body plus the tools of Pilates to create a movement experience that feels great. She helps problem-solve with each client in order to find balanced-alignment, strength, and flexibility so that each person can do comfortably the activities and sports they love to do.

Denise McLaughlin, Certified Pilates Instructor

Denise took an interest to Pilates in 2012 and quickly gained appreciation for the overall whole body benefits that Pilates provides. Seeing significant modifications and improvements in her own body she began her Pilates Instructor training through Balanced Body. Denise completed her Balanced Body Comprehensive Pilates certification in 2017.

Denise has had an active lifestyle her entire life. She brings her joy of fitness and the outdoors to the studio. She enjoys working with her clients to help them attain their goals, whether that be overcoming an injury, improving overall strength and fitness, or working to improve performance for a specific sport.

When Denise is not in the studio, you can find her out hiking, mountain biking or skiing. During ski season Denise works part time as a Pro Ski Patroller at Bogus Basin. She also serves on the Board for the Bogus Basin Ski Patrol.

Erin Scuglia, Certified Pilates Instructor

Erin was introduced to Pilates in the 1990s after a car accident. She found that Pilates was much more effective than traditional medicine for rehabilitating her injuries. It was this that kindled her interest in becoming a Pilates teacher herself. A few years later, Erin, her husband, and two daughters, moved to Paris, France where her mother, Martine Curtis-Oakes had opened the largest Pilates teacher training center in Europe. In 2008 she received two internationally-recognized certifications, one from Balanced Body and one from A-Lyne Centre de Formation in Paris.

Because her introduction to Pilates was by way of an accident, Erin gets satisfaction working with clients to rehabilitate their injuries. She has extensive experience with Parkinson's disease, spinal and disc injuries, pre and post natal and surgery rehabilitation. Being an avid bicyclist and runner, she also enjoys working with clients with an athletic bent. Erin continues to develop her rehabilitation skills, her knowledge of anatomy, and other modalities that complement her Pilates teaching.

Mallory Walker, Certified Pilates Instructor

Mallory was introduced to Pilates in 2001 as a ballet student in New York at the School of American Ballet. There, she trained with Phoebe Higgins and learned the importance of core strength in her ballet training and in general everyday movement. She moved to the San Francisco Bay area in 2006 when she joined Ballet San Jose and began working with Allison Gonzalez at Purely Pilates. She completed her teacher certification in August 2009 under Power Pilates. Mallory recently moved to Boise and is excited to be joining the Thrive community.

Laurie graduated from Scripps College in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. After years of intermittent lower back and abdominal pain, Laurie began practicing Pilates in 2011 as a way to strengthen her core. Pilates has provided relief from these issues and enables her to continue her love of tennis. She completed her instructor certification with Balanced Body Barre in June 2017. Laurie is also currently employed by a local human resources organization. A Boise native, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading and designing jewelry. She is excited to be a part of the Thrive community.